in , , , ,

Potato Self-Defense

“Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.” Psalm 91:3

The Peruvian Andes gave the world the potato, which is one of the largest crops in the world today. The problem is, the modern potato is plagued by potato beetles and aphids, which also carry some viral diseases to the plant. Now a wild potato found in the Bolivian Andes is being studied because it seems to be quite resistant to these pests.

Sticky trichomes of a carnivorous plant, Drosera capensis, with a trapped insectThe Bolivian potato defends itself using tiny hairs on its leaves called trichomes. There are roughly the same number of tall and short trichomes on the leaves, and they work together to provide a complete defense system for the plant. The hairs are so closely spaced that even a tiny aphid cannot avoid them. The end of each hair has a sack filled with defense chemicals. The short trichomes release their chemicals only when disturbed. The longer trichomes continuously release their chemicals. When an aphid gets on a leaf, its legs cannot avoid coming in contact with the sticky fluid the short trichomes release. To make certain that the aphid collects enough of the sticky stuff, the plant also releases a chemical that agitates the aphid. This gooey liquid finally sets up into a hard mass, leaving the aphid to starve. It also appears that a scent emitted by one of the trichomes makes the leaves completely distasteful to potato beetles.

Advertisement Below:

A potato may someday be developed that can save itself from the pestilence of aphids and beetles. But we cannot save ourselves from the pestilence of our sin. That’s why God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for our sins.

Prayer:
Lord, I thank You that I can depend on You for my salvation. Amen.
Notes:
Bombardier Beetles and Fever Trees, William Agosta, pp. 22 25. Photo: Sticky trichomes of a carnivorous plant, Drosera capensis, with a trapped insect. Courtesy of Noah Elhardt. (CC-BY-SA 3.0)

Avatar photo

Written by Creation Moments

In a world bombarded by false messages about origins, Creation Moments provides accurate, up-to-date information about new discoveries in God's creation and how they relate to the Bible. The two minute "Creation Moments" Christian radio broadcast with host Paul Taylor is heard around the world on over 1,300 stations. Copyright 2014 by Creation Moments, Inc., P.O.Box 839, Foley, MN, 56329.

Advertisement Below:

Comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Loading…

0
Advertisement Below:
Advertisement Below:

Does the Bible Really Present a Six-Millennia-Old Earth? – Dr. Jack L. Burton

The Law of Biogenesis [Part I]